'Freedom in jeopardy': Thousands rally across Canada against new anti-terror law

Thousands of demonstrators have united across Canada to take action against proposed anti-terrorism legislation known as Bill C-51, which would expand the powers of police and the nation’s spy agency, especially when it comes to detaining terror suspects.

The biggest gatherings were reported in Montreal, Toronto,
Vancouver, Ottawa and Halifax.

“I’m really worried about democracy, this country is going in
a really bad direction, [Prime Minister Stephen] Harper is taking
it in a really bad direction,” protester Stuart Basden from
Toronto, the Canadian city which saw hundreds of people come out,
told The Star.

“Freedom to speak out against the government is probably [in]
jeopardy...even if you’re just posting stuff online you could be
targeted, so it’s a really terrifying bill,” Basden added.

The ruling Conservative government tabled the legislation back in
January, arguing that the new law would improve the safety of
Canadians.

Anti-terror bill labeled ‘too vague’

Demonstrators across the nation held signs and chanted against
the bill, which they believe violates Canadian civil liberties
and online privacy rights.

Protester Holley Kofluk told CBC News that the legislation
“lacked specificity...it’s just so much ambiguity, it leaves
people open [and] vulnerable.”

One of the protest organizers in Collingwood, Jim Pinkerton,
shared with QMI Agency that he would like to see the Canadian
government “start over with Bill C-51 with proper safeguards
and real oversight.”

“We need CSIS to be accountable. It’s not OK for CSIS to act
as the police, which is what’s indicated in Bill C-51. We need
accountability and Canadians deserve that,” Pinkerton said.

The Day of Action is being backed by more than 30 civil liberties
groups, including Amnesty International Canada, LeadNow,
OpenMedia, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, the Council
for Canadians, and others.

One of the biggest concerns the new legislation raises is the
additional powers it grants to police and Canada’s spy agency –
the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) – by increasing
information sharing and allowing detention on mere suspicion.

“This bill disproportionately targets indigenous communities,
environmental activists, dissidents, and Muslims, many of whom
are already subjected to questionable and overreaching powers by
security officials, [and] will make it easier and ostensibly
lawful for government to continue infringing upon the rights of
peaceful people,” StopC51.ca said.

Govt ‘rejects argument’

A spokesman for Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney, Jeremy
Laurin, spoke in support of the bill on Saturday, telling CBC
News that the government “rejects the argument that every
time we talk about security, our freedoms are threatened.”

“Canadians understand that their freedom and security go hand
in hand [and] expect us to protect both, and there are safeguards
in this legislation to do exactly that,” Laurin said.

Blaney’s parliamentary secretary, Roxanne James, also issued
comments of support, saying she was happy to answer any questions
or concerns about the proposed law.

“Most people across Canada believe that if one branch of
government comes across information pertinent to the national
security of this country and the safety and security of our
citizens, then that branch of government should be able to relay
that information to our national security agencies,” James
said. “That is precisely what Bill C-51 would do, and I was
pleased to be able to answer those concerns.”